Characterisation and distribution of human coronary artery innervation.

Background: A detailed understanding of the sympathetic innervation of coronary arteries is relevant to facilitate the development of novel treatment approaches.

Aims: This study aimed to quantitatively examine periarterial innervation in human epicardial coronary arteries.

Methods: Coronary arteries with adjacent epicardial adipose tissue were excised along the left main coronary artery (LMCA), left anterior descending artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCx), and right coronary artery (RCA) from 28 body donors and examined histologically.

In vivo biocompatibility of a new hydrophobic coated Al/AlO nanowire surface on stents.

Background: Intima proliferation and in-stent restenosis is a challenging situation in interventional treatment of small vessel obstruction. Al/AlO nanowires have been shown to accelerate vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration in vitro, while suppressing vascular smooth muscle cell growth. Moreover, surface modification of Al/AlO nanowires with poly[bis(2,2,2-trifluoromethoxy)phosphazene (PTFEP) coating enables further advantages such as reduced platelet adhesion.

Synchrotron microtomography reveals insights into the degradation kinetics of bio-degradable coronary magnesium scaffolds.

Bioresorbable magnesium scaffolds are a promising future treatment option for coronary artery stenosis, especially for young adults. Due to the degradation of these scaffolds (<1 year), long-term device-related clinical events could be reduced compared to treatments with conventional drug eluting stents. First clinical trials indicate a return of vasomotion after one year, which may be associated with improved long-term clinical outcomes.

One single drug-coated balloon for all shapes/diameters? Neointimal proliferation inhibition in porcine peripheral arteries.

Background: Long diseased vessel segments of peripheral arteries may display irregular shapes with different diameters. The aim of this study was to investigate inhibition of neointimal proliferation in porcine peripheral vessels with different diameters covered by one single hyper-compliant drug-coated balloon (HCDCB), compared to conventional drug-coated balloons (DCB), each selected according to the respective vessel diameter.

Methods And Results: Neointimal proliferation was stimulated in proximal and distal segments of the peripheral arteries by balloon overstretch and stent implantation.

Drug-Coated Balloons: Drugs Beyond Paclitaxel?

Background: Although controversially discussed, paclitaxel is the only clinically proven drug that inhibits restenosis when released from drug-coated balloons (DCBs). Limus drugs are currently being explored as alternatives. The aim of the preclinical studies was to investigate drug candidates beyond paclitaxel considered for balloon coating.

Inhibition of TRIF-Dependent Inflammation Decelerates Afterload-Induced Myocardial Remodeling.

Pressure-overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy represents one cause of the development of heart failure. The aim of this study is to characterize the influence of the TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) during afterload-induced myocardial remodeling. After trans-aortic constriction (TAC), cardiac pressure overload leads to an early increase in MyD88- (Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88) and TRIF-dependent cytokines.

Improvement of Outcome for Treatment of 'Restenosis-prone' Vascular Lesions? Potential Impact of the Paclitaxel dose on Late Lumen Loss in Porcine Peripheral Arteries.

Purpose: Clinical data indicate that the drug density on drug-coated balloons (DCBs) might have a role on treatment effect and durability. The aim of the current study was to investigate inhibition of neointimal formation and potential adverse effects after treatment with a novel double-dose DCB in swine.

Material And Methods: A four-week study was performed in peripheral arteries of 12 domestic pigs after vessel injury and stent implantation.

Preclinical Evaluation of the Temporary Drug-Coated Spur Stent System in Porcine Peripheral Arteries.

Background: Drug penetration into the deeper arterial wall of heavily calcified lesions is one of the limitations of drug-coated balloons and drug-eluting stents in vascular interventions. The Temporary Spur Stent (TSS) system is characterized by a self-expanding nitinol stent that is uniformly covered in radialspikes, which, when coated, should allow a deeper penetration and longer retention of the drug into the diseased artery walls by penetrating through the calcified plaques.

Materials And Methods And Results: Uncoated TSS and paclitaxel (PTX)-coated TSS systems have been deployed in porcine peripheral arteries.

Efficacy and safety of a magnesium stearate paclitaxel coated balloon catheter in the porcine coronary model.

Background: Local administration of growth-inhibiting substances such as paclitaxel or sirolimus could reduce the risk of restenosis. In the drug coated balloon (DCB) technology the coating and the applied dose seem to play a major role. The aim of the present preclinical studies was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a specific DCB with paclitaxel as active ingredient and magnesium stearate as excipient.

Novel, vessel anatomy adjusting drug-coated balloon-Preclinical evaluation in peripheral porcine arteries.

Background: The diameter of balloons or stents is selected according to the estimated reference vessel diameter and do not adapt to the vessel anatomy. The aim of the present preclinical studies was to investigate a novel, vessel anatomy adjusting hypercompliant drug-coated balloon catheter (HCDCB).

Methods: Hypercompliant balloon membranes were coated in a constricted state with high drug density.

Drug Distribution and Basic Pharmacology of Paclitaxel/Resveratrol-Coated Balloon Catheters.

Purpose: To experimentally investigate a new homogenously paclitaxel/resveratrol-coated balloon catheter in terms of transport of the coating to the treated tissue and local effects including histology and functional tests.

Methods: Adherence of the coating to the balloon was explored by in vitro simulation of its passage to the lesion. Paclitaxel and resveratrol transfer to the vessel wall was investigated in porcine coronary and peripheral arteries.

Novel Sirolimus-Coated Balloon Catheter: In Vivo Evaluation in a Porcine Coronary Model.

Background: Limus-eluting stents are dominating coronary interventions, although paclitaxel is the only drug on balloon catheters with proven inhibition of restenosis. Neointimal inhibition by limus-coated balloons has been shown in few animal studies, but data from randomized clinical trials are not available. The aim of the present preclinical studies was to achieve high and persistent sirolimus levels in the vessel wall after administration by a coated balloon.

Exercise promotes collateral artery growth mediated by monocytic nitric oxide.

Objective: Collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis) is an important adaptive response to hampered arterial perfusion. It is unknown whether preventive physical exercise before limb ischemia can improve arteriogenesis and modulate mononuclear cell function. This study aimed at investigating the effects of endurance exercise before arterial occlusion on MNC function and collateral artery growth.

Differential chemokine receptor expression regulates functional specialization of endothelial progenitor cell subpopulations.

Postnatal vasculogenesis is mediated by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) which consist of subpopulations with different functional capacities. Our goal was to profile chemokine receptor expression on relevant subsets of EPCs and to characterize their role for effector functions. CD34(+)/CD133(+)/VEGFR2(+) EPCs were characterized by high expression of chemokine receptors CXCR4, CX3CR1, BLT1, and low level expression of CXCR2 and CCR2, while primordial CD34(-)/CD133(+)/VEGFR2(+) EPCs express these chemokine receptors at comparably low levels.

Integrin-linked kinase is a central mediator in angiotensin II type 1- and chemokine receptor CXCR4 signaling in myocardial hypertrophy.

Inflammation and pro-hypertrophic signaling are important for development and progression of myocardial hypertrophy (LVH) and chronic heart failure (CHF). Here we investigated the relevance of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) for chemokine receptor CXCR4- and angiotensin II type 1-triggered signaling and its regulation and role in cardiac remodeling. Using ELISA, real-time-PCR, and Western blotting, the present study demonstrates that SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 are up-regulated in plasma and left ventricles, respectively, in mouse models of cardiac hypertrophy (transaortic constriction, transgenic cardiac-specific overexpression of rac1) and in human CHF in association with increased cardiac ILK-expression.